EXACTLY TWO-AND-A-HALF years into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, India on Friday (August 23) took a remarkable step to proactively offer New Delhi’s help — at the highest level by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself — to any “active role” that will help end the Russia-Ukraine war. This is the most clear and categorical statement that has come from New Delhi, in the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since it became independent in December 1991, and diplomatic ties were established between the two countries in January 1992. The fact that Modi visited Moscow on July 8-9 to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and followed it up six weeks later with a visit to Kyiv to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — puts him in an unique position of developing direct contact between the leaders of the two warring sides. India chose to distance itself from the US-led Western bloc’s position of imposing sanctions on Russia, but it also expressed “heartbreaking” concern at the killing of innocent children. Modi conveyed to the Russian President Putin that “this is not the era of war”. This signalled that New Delhi doesn’t turn a blind eye to Russian actions and that didn't go unnoticed by the Western bloc. New Delhi has stayed away from contributing to the war efforts on both sides directly, and instead, sent humanitarian assistance to Ukraine;17 consignments so far, and another consignment of medical devices on Friday, highlighting Delhi’s humanitarian-focused and people-centric approach towards the situation. The Indian position of abstaining from the UN resolutions over the past two-and-half years, and making it clear that “dialogue and diplomacy” is the way forward projects Delhi as a player working towards peace. And finally, the important element of India asking Putin and Zelenskyy to sit together — means that Delhi is ready to nudge both to have a direct conversation, instead of peace summits which are unrepresented by one side — Russia was not part of the Ukraine summit in Switzerland’s Burgenstock in June this year. India has been part of several multilateral summits, starting from Copenhagen, Jeddah, Riyadh, Davos and Burgenstock, which have talked about the process to resolve the conflict, but there has not been any headway so far. Delhi firmly believes Moscow and Kyiv need to talk to each other, and not talk at each other — to put an end to the war. That’s easier said than done, especially with Russia having the upper hand all these months, since end of 2023; the two sides are not yet ready to blink even in the backdrop of the Kursk push by Ukraine, which some view as a game-changer. And, with the US elections due in November, the Joe Biden administration is too distracted towards its domestic political front. In this context, besides China, India is another player to play a role in the global geopolitical power play. It may not be enough, but New Delhi believes it has more leverage with the Western bloc, than Beijing. Ultimately, the war will be resolved once the US, Europe and Russia come together, but a conversation between Ukraine and Russia can be a start. PM Modi’s visit is part of India’s effort to bring the two warring sides to the table directly, and Delhi can be the facilitator.
